Future Prospect of The Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef has been impacted significantly by human endeavors. The climate change that has occurred over the past decades has reduced the number of coral in the GBR due to coral bleaching. (University of Michigan) Coral bleaching is caused by combination of some or of all of the following: increased temperature, higher UV radiation, sedimentation reduced lighting levels, and changes in salinity. Such coral bleaching kills zooxanthellae that are needed for corals to photosynthesize; if there are less or no zooxanthellae, the coral is unable to produce energy for itself (University of Michigan). Such effects create lasting damage on the Great Barrier Reef, leaving us to question whether the GBR will still exist for future generations to enjoy. If the human effects continue, there is a great chance that the GBR will continue to lose significant amount of tourism, have an increased amount of coral bleaching, and have a change in resources as well. If the Great Barrier were to decrease, the deep-sea creatures that were prevented from reaching shallow waters could potentially change the current status quo of the shallow water ecosystems due to the GBR being absent as a barrier. (University of Michigan). The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has created a 25 Year Plan to help save and protect the Australia’s precious ecosystem. The plan strives to protect and maintain this ecosystem through conservation, resource management, education, communication, research and monitoring, integrated planning, and legislation (GBRMPA, 2011).  As well, the entire Great Barrier Reef is protected under Australian legislation, such as the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. (GBRMPA, 2011).

Sources:

1. Australian Government Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. GBRMPA, 2011. Web. 30 Nov 2012. <http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/about-the-reef>.

2. "Human Impact on the Great Barrier Reef." University of Michigan. Web. 30 Nov 2012. <http://sitemaker.umich.edu/gc2sec7labgroup3/introduction>.